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Reply to Tandem Rider's for the 2007 DNR Ride?
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Don Boyko from Olathe, KS on 3/21/2007 2:39:04 AM:
Just wondering......the wife is joining me this year on the DNR Katy Trail ride. We're taking our tandem bike......how many other tandem riders out there registered for the ride? Had a GREAT time last year, looking forward the 2007 ride!

Don

 
Robert from Columbia on 3/21/2007 10:06:39 AM:
Cant help you, Don.

I will take this oportunity to ask a tandem rider a few questions.

Overall is it more energy efficient for a man and wife to ride a tandem while touring or to
ride two seperate bikes?

For example, if you and your wife were going to ride 75 miles in a day would you get done
faster with a tandem versus two single bikes?

 
Don from Olathe, KS on 3/21/2007 1:55:39 PM:
Our tandem is more of an equalizer.....I ride more than my wife, and so naturally my riding endurance is much better. The tandem equalizes us where she can enjoy group rides with me, where riding solo, the pace and distances are a bit too much for her. She is fine when we are alone on the local trails where I can slow down to accomodate her, but it's different on a group ride. We're in training now to build her endurance up where she will be able to stay on the bike for 6-8 hours a day. On flat ground the tandem is slightly faster with the same effort I've noticed. Going up hill is slower, but not a problem, we just gear down and crank. Going down hill the bike really picks up speed quickly. Our's is a Trek T-900 with several modifications to suit us better. Great bike for the price, and it's performed flawlessly so far..... But the REAL test is still to come.

Don

 
Jack from Los Angeles on 3/26/2007 10:43:04 PM:
Just for reference, there was an article from this couple from California that rode the entire length of the Katy Trail going West to East that you might enjoy. I was looking for it but couldn't find their travelogue. I think the article gives you a good idea of what riding on a tandem would be like - they had a Santana tandem. Maybe you are better than me at searching for the article. Not sure what your age is but these folks were probably in their 50's or 60's.



My wife and I were talking about doing the 2007 DNR Ride. We have a Santana tandem. At 58 years young, we've rediscovered biking. Last summer I rode the trail West to East with my son in the summer - the heat took a little getting used.



Does anyone have any info on bike thefts along the trail - we kind of worry about our bike being a target for thieves because Santana's carry a pretty lofty price tag and the bike is worth every cent we paid. Although we carry a lock wherever we go - we still worry about it.



Would like to learn more about other tandem riders as well. And look forward to other replies.

 
CaptDon on 3/30/2007 3:30:10 PM:
The wife and I are in our mid 50's. I've only rode the Katy Trail with the DNR ride and theft was NEVER a concern. I never worried about theft when stopping along the trail either at the various towns. Maybe with clipless pedals theives couldn't just ride off with your bike.

Don